ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EU WATER INITIATIVE EASTERN … Record_EUWI EECCA … · Director General e...

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EU WATER INITIATIVE

EASTERN EUROPE, CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA (EUWI EECCA)

WORKING GROUP

24-25 October 2013, Helsinki

Summary Record

Overall information about the meeting

1. The meeting was chaired by Mr Gheorghe Constantin, Chair of the EUWI EECCA.

Welcome and adoption of the draft agenda

2. Delegates noted the opening remarks by Ms. Lea Kauppi, Director General of SYKE, who welcomed

the meeting participants, acknowledging the continued support of the donor community to the water

reforms in the region; and Mr. Mathieu Bousquet, Head of Sector - Environment, Directorate-General

EuropeAid Development and Cooperation, EC, who acknowledged progress made under the EU Water

initiative; stressed the importance of national policy dialogues as umbrella processes to identify and

implement reforms; stressed water diplomacy as a cross-cutting theme for future work; highlighted the

role of the implementing agencies as co-ordinators; insisted on the need for the EUWI to demonstrate

results and to promote river basin approaches in national and transboundary waters following the

principles of the EU Water Framework Directive.

3. Delegates adopted the Draft Agenda.

Tour de Table

4. Delegates from EECCA countries flagged recent developments in water policies in their country. The

following delegates took the floor: Armenia (on river basin management plans and the establishment of

working group on monitoring), Azerbaijan (on water sector reform strategy; water pricing and capacity

building), Georgia (on new draft water law and need for further changes in legal framework for water

management; and on bilateral treaty with Azerbaijan on Kura river), Kazakhstan (on implementation of

national green growth strategy; rational water use in agriculture; water supply and sanitation, adaptation

to climate change; and water and health), Kyrgyzstan (on assistance needed to implement the water and

health targets formally adopted and on work of Chu river basin council), Moldova (on amendments to

Water Law released in October 2013; and a revised strategy for water supply and sanitation, including

http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm

developments of solidarity mechanisms), Russia (on a new water code and water strategy), Tajikistan (on

planned institutional changes in the water sector), Turkmenistan (on adhesion to the Water Convention;

the development of a new Water Code; and capacity building need for water managers), Ukraine (on

approximation with the Water Framework Directive; devolution of responsibilities for water supply and

sanitation to local authorities), Uzbekistan (on possibility of joining the NPD process; and on rational

water use and irrigated land).

5. NGOs flagged the need to give higher visibility of policy dialogues and to further involve stakeholders

or to sustain their participation.

New developments on the global water policy agenda

6. UNECE reported on the UN-led process of establishing post-2015 Sustainable development Goals

(SDGs) to replace current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As regards water, the importance of

ongoing debate on standalone water goal vs water issues being integrated into other goals was

underlined. SDGs are expected to be endorsed at the UN General Assembly in September 2014.

7. The OECD presented how water can be managed to drive (green) growth and support development.

This approach can support further work in EECCA such as the development of river basin management

plans that contribute to growth; the reform of water allocation regimes; the design of policy instruments

that promote coherence across the water – food – energy nexus; investment in water infrastructure.

8. The EC DG Environment presented a holistic vision of EU policies and legislative framework, related

to water management including the Water Framework Directive. It highlighted recent policy documents

such as the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources, that provides tools designed for the EU

context and useful in EECCA countries as well (e.g. the links between land use and the ecological status of

water bodies; addressing non-point sources of pollution; increasing efficiency of water uses).

9. The EC DG Relex highlighted the role of water diplomacy and international conventions on water in

improving trans-boundary water management – a very topical issue in EECCA countries.

Transboundary Water Management: challenges and benefits

10. Delegates noted the presentations by Mr. Peep Mardiste (UNECE) and Mr. Erkin Orolbaev

(Kyrgyzstan) on strengthening institutional framework for transboundary cooperation and a practical case

from the Chu/Talas basins; delegates acknowledged the successful functioning of the Interstate Kazakh-

Kyrgyz Chu-Talas Commission and supported sharing the experience with other Central Asian countries.

11. Delegates noted the presentation by Mr. Timothy Turner on the project for International River Basins

in the wider Black Sea basin (supported by the EC); and discussed the challenges of developing river basin

management plans.

12. Delegates took note of progress by the OECD in the development of an analytical framework to assess

the benefits of cooperative water management in the Caucasus (mainly between Azerbaijan and

Georgia).

13. Delegates welcomed the lessons learned from the 50 years’ experience of the Finnish-Russian

transboundary water co-operation; took note of the issues related to managing flood and drought risks in

both countries, and of the compensation mechanism for Russian losses.

Policy coherence and sustainability when addressing water, climate, food, energy nexus

14. The UNECE informed the delegates about the setting up of a Task Force on Food, Water and Energy

security issues. Experience of selected countries with the issue is being reviewed. The next stage of the

project will propose policy options to achieve Food, Water and Energy security targets in selected

transboundary basins.

15. Tajik delegates presented experience with improving the level water and food security in Tajikistan.

Respective measures included: improving legal and institutional framework (e.g. new Water Code and

National Water Council), river basin management (establishing basin councils and developing river basin

management plans) as well as the on-going efforts aimed at improving economic regulation of the water

and irrigation sectors and plans to build new hydropower stations.

Managing water for growth

16. The OECD presented the outcomes of a recent assessment of water-harmful subsidies in Russia and in

Kyrgyzstan. The project also recommends reforms that directly contribute to better coherence between

policies that drive water demand and water availability. Delegates noted opportunities to replicate similar

projects in other EECCA countries.

17. Delegates took note of recent developments regarding water supply and sanitation in Moldova. The

design of sustainable business models for rural water supply and sanitation is relevant for other

countries.

18. The EBRD briefed delegates about its activities in the region. It stressed the benefits of a staged

approach to investment in water infrastructure and services, starting from emergency programmes in city

centers and gradually expending to suburbs and adjacent communities. Capacity building and the

combination of grants and loans were also highlighted.

Future developments

19. Delegates took note that European Commission financial support to the EU Water initiative for the

EECCA region beyond 2015 will depend on results achieved, EECCA countries' commitment to water

policy reforms, approximation to EU acquis and demonstrated value of the regional approach. Delegates

acknowledged the political priorities of the European Commission in the region (sustainable inclusive

socio-economic development, security and stability) and priorities for future work on water: the water-

energy-food security nexus; green economy; and water diplomacy.

20. Delegates discussed the OECD/UNECE programme of work for 2014. They signalled the need for

further work in several fields, such as the reform of economic instruments for water management, water

and agriculture, the development of river basin management plans, the upgrade of water legislation, and

work on water and health. There was call for more exchange of experience within the region.

21. Delegates expressed their appreciation for the substantial financial support provided by the European

Commission, Germany, Finland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Other business and closing remarks

22. Delegates expressed gratitude to the Finnish Government for hosting the meeting.

List of participants

Armenia Mr. Volodya NARIMANYAN

Head

Water Resources Management Agency

Ministry of Nature Protection

3, Government House

Republic Square

0010 Yerevan

Armenia

Tel: +374 10 54 08 67

+374 91 42 35 39 (mob).

e-mail: [email protected]

Armenia Mr. Vahagn TONOYAN

NPD Coordinator in Armenia

Aigestan 10 Street, Building 2/51

0025 Yerevan

Armenia

Tel:+37477550487


Azerbaijan Mr. Sahib HASANZADE

Head of Sector

State Agency for Water Resources

51 Rasul Rza

AZ1000 Baku

Azerbaijan

Tel:+994125124837


Finland Ms. Lea KAUPPI

Director General

Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)

Mechelininkatu 34A, P.O. Box 140

00251 Helsinki

Finland

Tel:+358 20 610 1970


Finland Mr. Juhani TOIVONEN

Ambassador

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Merikasarmi, PO Box 176,

00023 Government,

Finland

Tel:+358 295 350898


Finland Ms. Ulla HAKANEN

First Secretary

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Merikasarmi, PO Box 176,

00023 Government,

Finland

Tel:+358 295 351 023


Finland Ms. Hannele NYROOS

Environment Counsellor

Ministry of the Environment

P.O. Box 35

FIN-00023 GOVERNMENT

Finland

Tel:+358 50 572 6358


Finland Mr. Martti POUTANEN

Ministerial Advisor

International Affairs Unit, Bilateral and

Regional Cooperation

Ministry of the Environment

P.O. Box 35

FIN-00023 GOVERNMENT

Finland

Tel:+358 50 300 63 79

+358 91 603 93 65


Finland Ms. Taina VELTHEIM

Ministerial Adviser

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

PO Box 30,

FI-00023 GOVERNMENT

Finland

Tel:+358 50 3446596


Finland Mr. Seppo REKOLAINEN

Director, Freshwater Centre


Mechelininkatu 34a

P.O.Box 140,

FI-00251 Helsinki

Finland

Tel:+358 40 580 6538

e-mail:[email protected]

Finland Mr. Karri ELOHEIMO

Project Manager / Finnish Water

Programme for EECCA countries


Mechelininkatu 34A, P.O. Box 140

00251 Helsinki

Finland

Tel:+358 40 5531898


Finland Ms. Miia KOKKOLA

Secretary, International Affairs


International Affairs Unit

Mechelininkatu 34a

P.O.Box 140,

FI-00251 Helsinki,

Finland

Tel:+358 40 356 4601


Germany Ms. Esther WÖRNER

Federal Environment Agency

Wörlitzer Platz 1

06844 Dessau-Roßlau

Germany

Tel: +4934021032405


Georgia Mr. Alexander MINDORASHVILI

Main Specialist

Water Resources Management Division

Ministry of Environment and Natural

Resources Protection

6 Gulua str

Tbilisi, Georgia

Tel:+995322727226


Georgia Mr. Baadur UKLEBA

Chief Hydrologist

United Melioration System Company

of Georgia

62 Chavchavadze str. Apt. 51

0162 Tbilisi

Georgia

Tel:+995599704028


Georgia M. George DZAMUKASHVILI

NPD Coordinator in Georgia

Chair of National Water Partnership of

Georgia

2-9-125

Varketili 3

Tbilisi

Georgia

Tel: +995 99 547931


Kazakhstan Mr. Serik AKHMETOV

Head, Eurasian Water Centre

Eurasian Water Centre, Ministry of

Environment Protection

2 Mirzoyan

educational – administrative block

010008 Astana

Kazakhstan

Tel:+77172798196


Kazakhstan Ms. Saule ZHADRINA

Chief Expert

Ministry of Regional Development

8 Orynbor str.

010000 Astana

Kazakhstan

Tel:+77172742754


Kyrgyzstan Mr. Erkin OROLBAEV

NPD Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan

126-1 Pr. Chui

720022 Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan

Tel:+996 707 303 903


Moldova Ms. Nadejda CHILARU

Consultant

Water resources management

Ministry of Environment

9 Cosmonotilor

Chisinau

Republic of Moldova

Tel:+37322204538


Romania Mr. Gheorghe CONSTANTIN

Director

Directorate of Water Resources

Management

Ministry of Environment and Climate

Change

Bucharest

Romania

Tel:+ 40 21 408 95 14


Romania Ms. Ana DRAPA

Directorate of Water Resources

Management

Ministry of Environment and Climate

Change

Bucharest

Romania

Tel: +40214089555


Russian Federation Mr. Alexander KATKOV

Executive Director

Russian water union

7 Bolshoy Strochenovskiy pereulok

115054 Moscow

Russian Federation

Tel:+74956373626


Tajikistan Mr. Bakhrom GAFAROV

NPD Coordinator

Scientific Information Center of

Interstate Coordination Water

Commission

5/1 Shamsi street

734064 Dushanbe

Tajikistan

Tel:+992927703346


Tajikistan Dr. Kholmakhmad NAZAROV

Deputy Head

Sanitary and Epidemiological Service

Ministry of Health

8, Chapaev str

734025 Dushanbe

Tajikistan

Tel:+992 372 2773 513


Tajikistan Mr. Homidjon HASANOV

Deputy Minister

Ministry of water and melioration

5/1 Shamsi str.

Dushanbe

Tajikistan

Tel: +992 373 353597


Tajikistan Mr. Hamdam TAGOYMURODOV

Head

Antimonopoly Agency at the

Government of Tajikistan

37 Bokhtar str

437002 Dushanbe

Tajikistan

Tel:+9920901119091


Turkmenistan Mr. Arslan BERDIYEV

NPD Coordinator in Turkmenistan

Kemine 54, 6

744000 Ashgabad

Turkmenistan

Tel:+99312940583


Ukraine Mr. Oleksandr BON

Head of Water Resources Division

Ministry of Ecology and Natural

Resources

35 Vasilia Lipkivskoho str.

03035 Kiev

Ukraine

Tel:+38 044 2063176


Ukraine Mr. Dmitro GRIGORYEV

Member of the Commission

National commission of the state public

utilities regulation

24 Dymytrova str

03150 Kiev

Ukraine

Tel:+380442071919


Uzbekistan Mr. Sherzod ASADOV

First Secretary

Water Issues Task Force

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

9 Uzbekistan str

Tashkent

Uzbekistan

Tel:+998712334937


EU Mr. Mathieu BOUSQUET

Head of Sector

DG EuropeAid Development and

Cooperation, Regional Programmes

Neighbourhood East

European Commission

rue Joseph II, 54

B-1049 Brussels

Belgium

Tel: +32 2 2980861


EU Dr. Caroline MILOW

Political Advisor

Office of the EU Special

Representative for Central Asia

European External Action Service

Tel:+32-(0)2 584 7361

Fax: +32-473 738 125


EU Ms. Marta MOREN AABAT

International, Regional and Bilateral

Relations Unit, E1

European Commission

Ave. de Beaulieu 9, 03/139

Brussels

Belgium

Tel: +32-2- 29 51903


EBRD Ms. Catarina BJORLIN HANSEN

Senior Banker

Municipal and Environmental

Infrastructure

European Bank for Reconstruction and

Development (EBRD)

6 Gasheka Street

125047 Moscow

Russian Federation

Tel:+74957871111


United Nations Economic

Commission for Europe

(UNECE

Dr. Annukka LIPPONEN

Environmental Affairs Officer

Environment Division

UN Economic Commission for Europe

(UNECE)

Palais des Nations

CH-1211 Geneva

Switzerland

Tel: +41 22 9172666

Fax: +41 22 917 0107


United Nations Economic

Commission for Europe

(UNECE

Mr. Peep MARDISTE

NPD Regional Coordinator

Environment Division

UN Economic Commission for Europe

Palais des Nations

CH-1211 Geneva

Switzerland

Tel:+41 22 917 3448


EuropeAid funded project Mr. Timothy TURNER

Team Leader

EU “Environmental Protection of

International River Basins” Project

Hulla & Co. Human Dynamics KG

Rognidynska Street 3, suite 12,

01004 Kiev

Ukraine

Tel:+380 95 386 76 08


Non Governmental

Organisations

Ms. Emma ANAKHASYAN

Head of the Environmental Health

Department

Armenian Women for Health and

Healthy Environment

24D Baghramyan Ave., room 608

0019 Yerevan

Armenia

Tel:+37410523604


Non Governmental

Organisations

Ms. Hanna TSVIETKOVA

Water and Sanitation Program

Coordinator

UNENGO “MAMA-86”

14 Chapaeva str

01030 Kiev

Ukraine

Tel:+380 44 234 69 29


OECD M. Xavier LEFLAIVE

Principal Administrator

OECD/EAP Task Force

2 rue André-Pascal

75016 Paris

France

Tel: +(33-1) 45 24 92 94


OECD Ms. Tatiana EFIMOVA

Project ManagerOECD/EAP Task

Force

2 rue André-Pascal

75016 Paris

France

Tel:+(33-1) 45 24 14 34


OECD Mr. Alexandre MARTOUSSEVITCH

Project Manager

OECD/EAP Task Force

2 rue André-Pascal

75016 Paris

France

Tel:+(33-1) 45 24 13 84

e-mail:

[email protected]

OECD Mr. Shukhrat ZIYAVIDDINOV

Events Manager

OECD/EAP Task Force

2 rue André-Pascal

75016 Paris

France

Tel:+(33-1) 45 24 93 03

e-mail:

[email protected]

Interpreter Ms. Natalia CIUMACENCO

Interpreter

Diordita St. 4, Apt. 4

2005 Chisinau

Republic of Moldova

Tel: +373 22 22 36 25


Interpreter Ms. Liudmila FESINA

Interpreter

Apt. 28, Grenoble street 106 “b”

Chisinau, MD-2019

Republic of Moldova

Tel: :+373 22 72 13 84


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